Defense budget spending in 2024 will decrease, while expenses on officials will significantly increase

In the 2024 budget, defense spending will be cut but there will be a significant increase in expenditures for government officials. The budget includes higher salaries for healthcare and education sectors, yet most ministries are set to receive more funds, except those linked to the Defense Forces.

Next year’s budget allocates funds similar to the current year only for the Foreign Intelligence Service. However, there’s an anticipated 2-3% decrease in financing for the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) and the Defense Intelligence Agency (GUR). Additionally, budgetary support for the Interior Ministry (MVD) will decline by 64 billion hryvnias, and for the Ministry of Defense, by 188 billion hryvnias.

Reports have revealed Ukraine expects $43 billion in aid from Western nations in 2024 to cover the budget deficit. This update was shared by Roksolana Pidlasa, the head of the parliamentary budget committee. She highlighted that 2024 will mark the third consecutive year where Ukraine’s spending surpasses its income twofold. However, despite this, the actual international assistance to Ukraine is diminishing, raising concerns about a potentially catastrophic budget deficit next year.